Teen Clocked For Speeding Dies In Tollway Exit Crash

A 17-year-old Naperville area driver was killed early Monday and three passengers were injured when his vehicle went out of control on an exit ramp of the East-West Tollway near Lisle.

Investigators said the crash occurred moments after a state trooper, using a radar device, had clocked the auto driven by Casey Moll traveling in excess of the speed limit.

Police said the trooper had just turned on his flashing lights, pulled from the side of the road and begun his pursuit of the red sports car when the driver quickly moved over one or two lanes and attempted to exit on the northbound ramp leading to Illinois Highway 53 in Lisle Township.

According to police reports, the car was unable to negotiate the ramp, careened into a ditch and then bounced up and landed upright on the median of Illinois 53.

``Our officer had barely turned on his red lights and entered the roadway, when the car failed to negotiate the ramp turn,`` said State Police Sgt. Richard Wojcik. He declined to say how fast Moll`s car was going, other than describe it as ``a high rate of speed.``

Also injured in the accident were three passengers identified by police as Ted Windish, 19, of Naperville; Jennifer Miller, 16, of Sleepy Hollow, both listed in serious but stable condition at Edward Hospital, Naperville; and Christina Michalek, 17, of Carpentersville, who was in fair condition at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood.

Moll, who lived in an unincorporated area near Naperville, was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove. Police said the driver`s air bag inflated during the crash, but that he was not wearing a seat belt. They said Windish, who was riding in the front seat, was wearing a seat belt, and the two young women in the back seat were not.

Wojcik said state police investigators were attempting to recreate what occurred, but said there was speculation that Moll saw the marked police car, realized he had been clocked in excess of the speed limit, and panicked at the possibility of being ticketed.

Police said there were no immediate indications that drugs or alcohol were factors in the accident, although the standard tests conducted under such circumstances by the coroner`s office were not complete.

Moll had dropped out of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora last year after completing his sophomore year, police said.

Moll`s parents were reportedly vacationing in Florida and were en route home after being notified of the accident later Monday.